Memphis Tigers May Have Best Backcourt, But Forwards Have To Step Up

By Trevor Lowry

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The Memphis Tigers have some very talented guards. Those group of guards are probably the best in the country. However, after a close loss to the Florida Gators, it is apparent that the forwards have to step up on this team.

It is not like the Tigers are lacking talent in the frontcourt. Austin Nichols and Shaq Goodwin are very talented and both are averaging 10 or more points per game. Unfortunately, the two combined for 11 points in the showdown with the Gators.

Memphis should have taken advantage of Patric Young being in foul trouble late in the game, but that was not the case.

Regardless, the Tigers are a very good basketball team and they should have no problem earning a decent seed in the 2014 NCAA Tournament. With that in mind, Memphis now has two losses on the season–both came against ranked opponents.

Memphis is going to have the best backcourt every time it steps foot on the court, but it has to get its forwards more involved when it matters most. Hitting a three-ball down the stretch is always huge, but there is nothing like a team’s big man banging it out for a two-point basket when the clock is winding down.

The Tigers still looked very good against the Gators and they had a chance to win the game at the end. A loss is a loss, though.

Josh Pastner‘s team does have two solid wins on the season thus far. Memphis has already beaten LSU and Oklahoma State. It will be challenged many times once AAC play begins, but the team cannot rely on its great guard play all season long. The frontcourt is way too talented for that.